But then I remembered, I have my own blog. I can publish my own meme! Hehe.
1. Why are you a feminist? What
does being a feminist mean to you? And if you don’t consider yourself to be a
feminist, then why not?
I do consider myself a feminist, and although I’ve lived that lifestyle
(a go-girl, go-get-em, no limits)since I was in grade school, I was not raised
to identify myself as feminist. It was not till I got to graduate school and
started reading body theory (Susan Bordo, namely) for my master’s thesis on
body imagery in Christian women’s magazines and learning about what a crap deal
women have gotten throughout history via close historical readings for my
Victorian studies classes, that I began to identify, personally, with feminist
thought. Then I went to a women’s studies conference in Chicago, met Jessica
Valenti, read her book (Full Frontal Feminism), and burst into tears, because
I. WAS. OPPRESSED. We are all oppressed! Patriarchy is all around! OMG. OMG.
And my life took on a new dimension.
Some, background: I was raised in conservative Christian family, and
was homeschooled, and graduated top of that class and also my even more
conservative (no drinking! No dancing! No homosexuals!) Christian university. I
think that background actually gave me a pretty strong attitude of not caring
what other people thought, because I was, always and already, going to be
different from the kids around me. For example, my family, with ONLY 2 kids and
a mother who had a Masters degree, was kinda ‘liberal’ for the local
homeschooling community, whereas with the long skirts and no-dating-till- you-
are-37 rules, my family was a little too conservative for my Sunday School
classmates at First Baptist Church, Claremore. But, even though my parents
totally sheltered me against the manifold evils of the world, they always told
me that I could do anything I set my mind to and that I didn’t need to please
anyone, except for God, of course. So, really, it all made a lot of sense. I
had already noticed how unfair it was that men and women got TOTALLY different
messages about stuff, particularly sex and success, and it didn’t sit right
with me.
So, now, I feel as though I have a mantle and mission: to declare
myself a feminist and educate those around me. Which I attempted to do in my
short-lived college English adjunct career and now live out, as a staff grant
writer for Tulsa’s only domestic violence and sexual assault agency.
2. What place(s) make you feel
truly alive?
In and around the water: any water- lake, pool, river, etc. I grew up with a pool in my backyard
and remember the summer as some of the happiest times of my life, simply
because of the joy I got from being in the water almost constantly. To me,
there is almost nothing more soothing than going to sit by a body of water and
stare at it, and get in touch with what I’m really thinking or feelings.
3. What books, music, blogs,
movies, etc. would you/have you been recommending to friends?
I am voracious consumer of media: largely, I talk to my friends about
blogs. Some stand-out ones: Shapelyprose.com (fat acceptance blog, by Kate
Harding and associates); Jezebel.com (gawker media’s ‘ladies’ site; full of
wit, insight, opinions and general internet inappropriateness); Harpyness.com
(former jezebel power commentors who had more to say); also, dooce.com, which
although it is a ‘mommy-blog’ is hilarious and well-written.
Movies: I have most recently loved Away We Go with Maya Rudolf & John
Krasinski; sweet story, that refuses to bow to romantic tropes, great
soundtrack, great supporting cast.
Books: ugh reading about 4 right now, although I just cleaned off my
bedside table formerly home to about 15 books; just finished Fraction of a
Whole and am starting on Atmospheric Disturbances, both BookSmart Tulsa
selections (www.booksmarttulsa.com).
Also, I love SARK books (http://www.planetsark.com); she’s super creative and
inspiring, props to Erin Gore-Wilson for introducing me to her.
Music: pretty much a constant exploration: most recent 5 artist
downloads: Kings of Leon; Michael Jackson; Brittney Spears, The Script, Kate
Nash, The Gossip
4. When was the last time you
laughed really hard?
Today, reading my stable of blogs
5. How are you different from who
you were as a child? How are you the same?
Considering I was an awkward, shy, and somewhat anti-social,
homeschooled book nerd, I feel that I am much much different from that child by
virtue of life experience (college degrees) and social exposure (outside sales
for 5 summers). I can be very outgoing and enjoy a varied social life. Deep
down, however, I am still that child. Shy and uncertain in a room full of new
people and would on a given Friday night rather be at home nursing a glass of
wine and making a new bracelet (see: anti-social).
6. What issue(s) are you
passionate about?
I am passionate about sexual assault advocacy, mentoring young girls in
their worth, creating a vibrant and changing community of friends, re-claiming
Christian faith from the trash heap of conservatism, and living an adventurous
life.
7. What have you learned about
yourself within the past year?
That I hate (H.A.T.E)
being in debt, that I am open to (and yet slightly terrified by) the prospect
of becoming a mother; that I have the capacity to recieve deep love (dogs will
pry your heart open and then take a snoozle there)-
8. What are three things you want
to do in your lifetime?
Only 3?! I am full of goals and lists of things to do, so much so that
sometimes my everyday life overwhelms me in its mundane-ness. I know that I
want to 1) continue to do work that is meaningful, 2) to own an attractive
house that is roomy for entertaining and cozy enough for family and 3) finally,
I want to put a bunch more stamps in my passport, particularly in Europe.
9. And: what are the top five
things you most enjoy doing right now?
Making beaded jewelry; doing agility training with my Boston Terrier,
Lola; learning about organic eating, enjoying the mild summer weather with
walks along Riverside; and practicing long-distance napping